Method of making dentures



Nov. 8, 1949 G. R. KERN METHOD OF MAKING DENIURES Filed Feb. 4, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 8, 1949 G. R. KERN 2,487,143

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METHOD OF MAKING DENTURES Filed Feb. 4, l947 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 IIIIIIIIIO 3 vwe/wtov Kerr:

Nov. 8, 1949 G. R. KERN mmnon OF MAKING nm'runns 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 4, 1947 gvwvrvtw GeoryeRJfetri Nov. 8, 1949 G. R. KERN METHOD OF MAKING DENTURES 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Feb. 4, l947 mumm llllll! GeorgeR.Kern

GMaw iQvW AT'I'OR N EYS Patented Nov. 13,1949

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE METHOD OF MAKING DENTURES George R. Kern, Arlington, Va.

Application February 4, 1947, Serial No. 726,369

6 Claims.

This invention relates to a new and improved method of making dentures. It further relates to a new and improved method of locating errors in dentures as well as to improvements in precision mechanism used to determine the errors.

Throughout the following description the terms dental plate or denture are used interchangeably to describe any artificial tooth supporting device including a gum contacting surface; the term impression is used to describe elements having a gum contacting surface complemental to the contour of the patients gum, while the terms cast or model describe elements having a surface duplicating the patients gum. In other words, insofar as the patients gum is concerned, an impression may be regarded as a negative, while the cast or models are positives.

In the methods now practiced in making dental plates by molding a plate over a cast formed from an impression taken of the mouth, it is a well known fact that owing to the unavoidable expansion and contraction from heating and cooling of the plate during the formation thereof, the plate very often becomes distorted so that it will not fit the patients mouth, and particularly the patients gum, as desired, nor will its gum contacting surface be of such contour as to be an exact facsimile of the corresponding contours of an impression of the patients gum. Likewise, the gum contacting surface of the denture will not properly fit a cast produced from an impression of the gum.

It is an object of this invention to provide a method of producing dental plates which will overcome the effects of the distortion caused by stresses and strains in the plate during its fabrication, and to thereby produce a denture having a gum contacting surface which will conform strictly with the gum configuration of the impression and will accurately fit the part of the mouth for which it is intended, thereby relieving the wearer of the discomforts now attendant the fitting and wearing of dental plates.

A further object is to provide a method of locating and measuring errors in already formed dental plates.

Still another object is to reduce the time now consumed by the dentist and patient in fitting a dental plate to a patients mouth and thereby reducing the overall costs involved in obtaining dental plates.

For a more complete understanding of the nature and scope of this invention reference can be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view partly broken away of the precision duplicating machine and the positioning platforms associated therewith.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the mechanism shown in Figure 1, v

Figure 3 is a front elevation of the mechanism shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a rear elevation of the mechanism shown in Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a vertical view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a vertical view taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 1;

Figure 7 is a plan view of the adjustable positioning platform which is the left hand platform shown in Figure 3, having secured'to its face a molding form carrying a dental plate. The view is as seen from a position above the machine in Figure 1;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the fixed positioning platform which is the right hand platform shown in Figure 3, having secured to its face a molding form carrying a master impression in which is placed special spirit levels;

Figure 9 shows a milling cutter or burr with a part of its stem broken away and to its right a follower tool of the same contour as that of the milling cutter or burr.

Figure 10 is a detail view of a pivot mounting post showing its attached head member and an attachable bottom link.

Figure 11 shows an indicator having a tracing end, and to its right a follower tool having an end with the same contour as the tracing end of the indicator.

Figures 12 to 20 diagrammatically show stages in the formation of a dental plate according to the process of the present invention.

The first phase of the method is the making of a dental plate which is substantially like the impression of the part of the mouth for which it is intended, except that it is so prepared that there is slightly too much material on the surface which contacts the gum. The second phase of the method is the placing of the dental plate in a special duplicating or profiling machine and milling off the excess material on its gum contacting surface so that such contacting surface is of a duplicate contour and size of an impression of the patients gum.

FIRST PHASE In the making of new dental plates or rebasing and relining already-formed dental plates, the conventional steps usually followed are carried out except, that such plates are so prepared that there is slightly too much material on the surface which is to contact the mouth. This excess material is later removed in whole or in part as may be necessary to compensate for dimensional change owing to the unavoidable expansion and contraction from heating and cooling during the usual formation of dental plates and to render the dental plate contacting surface of a duplicate contour and size to an impression of the patients gum.

Making a dental plate In the making of a dental plate by this method, an impression is taken of the mouth, i. e., the gum and perhaps teeth. This impression is hereinafter referred to as the first impression. Figure 12 is a cross section through a portion of a gum, the first impression PI of customary material being taken by use of a dental tray A of usual type. It is desirable to have certain reference marks made in the impression for aligning purposes, as will be described later under the Second phase of the method. The reference marks also serve to maintain the proper occlusion of the dental plate being prepared.

Where the impression FI taken is an upper impression, a reference mark is usually left in the forward and upper part of the contact surface, viz., the gum contacting surface of the impression by the Freeman muscle. In case such a reference mark does not occur, a reference mark is cut into' the forward and upper part of the contact surface of the impression. As additional reference marks, three spaced point marks are made with a sharp, pointed instrument in the rear center portion of the upper contact surface of the impression in the palatal area. One of such later mentioned pointmarks is suflicient in connection with the forward reference mark for aligning purposes, but two additional impression point marks are made in case some of these marks are lost in the subsequent transfer steps in the preparation of the dental plate.

Where the impression FI taken is a lower impression, a reference mark is cut into the extreme forward part of the contact surface of the impression for aligning purposes, as is shown in Figure 7 at 29. Likewise, as in the case of the upper impression, additional reference marks are made in the lower impression. The additional reference marks are made by making a point impression, preferable toward the extreme rear of each condyle area in the lower impression, as shown in Figure 7 at 21' and 28. As in the case of the upper impression, two reference marks in the lower impression are normally sufiicient for aligning purposes and for maintaining the correct occlusion, but the additional reference mark is made as a precautionary measure.

Having taken an impression FI, of the mouth, viz., the gum and teeth, and marked the impression with reference marks as described supra, the next step of the process can be undertaken. The same method applies, whether an upper or a lower dental plate is being made, and the following description will, therefore, apply to either the preparation of an upper or a lower dental plate.

In the preferred method, a cast or model is made from the first impression FI b using an impression material. such as a hydrocolloid alginous material. Figure 13 shows the model or cast C being formed from the impression FI. Over this model C, there are formed in succession duplicate impressions of the first impression by using a suitable molding plaster or composition.

The reference marks, as placed in the first impression, will appear in each of these duplicate impressions. The first of these duplicate impressions is termed, master impression, and it is used in the Second phase, the milling operation of the method. The second duplicate impression is termed, second dpulicate impression. Figure 14 shows the master impression MI being formed from cast C. The second duplicate impression 2DI (Figure '15) or any other duplicate impressions can be formed in the same manner.

The master impression reference marks are covered with any suitable masking material, to preserve the marks, and the rest of the impression may be covered with a very thin coating of a sealer, such as a lacquer, to'preserve the contact surface.

The first impression FI, as taken of the mouth, and the second duplicate impression ZDI, are both used in the forming of the dental plate.

The first impression F1 is used in the conventional steps usually followed in forming a dental plate, except that the dental plate is so formed that there is slightly too much material on the surface which is to contact the mouth, as will hereinafter be described.

The reference marks in the second duplicate impression 2DI are covered with a suitable masking material to preserve the marks. Then the second duplicate impression 2DI is coated, except for the masking areas, with a coating L as indicated in Figure 15. The coating L is preferably a hard coating such as a lacquer, and has a thickness of a few thousandths of an inch. After this coating has dried, the masking material placed over the reference marks is removed and the impression may be coated with a thin coating of a parting material. For purposes of illustration, the thickness of the coating L is exaggerated in Figures 15 and 16.

The impression 2DI in this state is now used to make a cast or model RC composed of a suitable hard type casting plaster or composition. The reduced cast RC. so obtained is slightly smaller than the part of the mouth that it represents, in view of the few thousandths of an inch thickness of coating that was applied to the second duplicate impression from which it was cast. Over the reduced cast RC there is formed the dental plate or denture DP by the conventional steps usuall followed except that the dental plate so formed has slightly too much material on the surface which is to contact the mouth. This step is indicated in Figure 17. The portion L' of the dental plate DP shown below the dotted lines in Figures 17 and 19 comprises the extra material applied thereto by reason of the reduced size of the cast RC. Hence, the contact surface CS of the dental plate is correspondingly reduced.

The following is a more detailed explanation of the sequence of various steps that may be followed in forming a dental plate DP which is substantially like the impression PI of the part of the mouth for which it is intended, except that the plate so formed will have slightly too much material on its contacting surface.

The impression FI taken of the mouth, as described supra, may be coated with a thin coatin of parting material. This impression is now used to make the cast or model C (Figure 13) composed of a suitable casting plaster or composition. Over the model C so formed, there is molded (see Figure 18) a temporary dental plate TD of suitable material, such as wax, and there is properly positioned in this temporary dental plate as it is being formed, the teeth T which are to be carried by the permanent dental plate and which are substituted for the natural teeth to be replaced. The temporary dental plate TD carrying the teeth, is applied to the mouth for adjusting the alignment of the teeth as may be necessary and for forming the outside surface of the wax material for a proper fit.

The reduced model RC which was prepared from the second duplicate impression '2DI as indicated in Figure 16 may now be coated with a thin coating of parting material. The reduced model RC in this state is placed in an articulator or other suitable holding device. The temporary dental plate TD carrying its properly aligned teeth is placed over this reduced model RC and in an articulator as shown in Figure 18. Then, in accordance with known prior practice, a molding plaster or composition is applied to the outside of the temporary dental plate TD and around the exposed portions of the teeth carried thereby. The wax of which the temporary dental plate is made is now removed by subjecting it to heat and thereby causing it to melt and flow. The teeth are now held in proper position by the surrounding molding plaster after the temporary dental plate material has been removed.

Followin the removal of thetemporary dental plate material, a plastic composition of which the permanent dental plate DP is composed is poured in a flowing state into the space formerly occupied by the temporary dental plate, and the permanent dental plate material surrounds and holds the portions of the teeth formerly held by the temporary dental plate. Figure 19 indicates this process, MP designating the molding plaster, T the teeth held in the plaster, and DP generally indicating the denture.

The permanent dental plate may be subjected to a curing treatment as is customary. The molding plaster MP can now be removed leaving the permanent dental plate DP carrying the teeth. This permanent dental plate, with an excess L' of material on the surface CS which is to contact the gum and other tissue bearing surfaces of the mouth, is now ready for the Second phase, the milling operation of the method.

As a modified and alternative method of preparing a permanent dental plate DP which is substantially like the impression of the part of the mouth for which it is intended, except that it will have slightly too 'much material L' on the contact surface, the following steps are carried out.

The impression FI taken of the mouth as shown in Figure 12 is marked with reference marks as in the previously described method. A cast or model C is made from this impression as in Figure 13 by using an impression material, such as a hydrocolloid alignous material. Over this model, there is formed an impression MI as shown in Figure 14, using a suitable molding plaster or composition. The impression MI so obtained is termed master impression, and it is used in the Second phase, the milling operation of the method.

The master impression reference marks are covered with any suitable masking material, to preserve the marks, and the rest of the impression MI may be covered with a very thin coating of a sealer, such as a lacquer to preserve the contact surface.

The impression FI taken of the mouth is now coated with a thin coating of parting material and this impression is used to make a second cast or model Cl composed of a suitable hard m01ding plastic or composition as shown in Figure 20. Over the model, there is molded (as shown in Figure 17) a temporary dental plate TD of suitable material, such as a wax and, as in Figure 18, there is properly positioned in the temporary dental plate, as it is being formed, the teeth which are to be carried by a permanent dental plate. The temporary dental plate, carrying the teeth, is applied to the mouth for adjusting the alignment of the teeth and for forming the outside surface for a proper fit.

A thin layer of material is now removed from the surface of the model Cl by any suitable means, such as by scraping or by grinding. In carrying out this removal of the surface material. care is taken to not remove the area where in appears the reference marks. The purpose of reducing the surface of the model is to permit the melding of a permanent dental plate such as DP which is substantially like the impression of the part of the mouth for which it is intended, except that it will have slightly too much material on its contact surface. After the surface of the model has been reduced, it may be coated with a suitable parting material. In Figure 20. the dotted line R indicates, to an exaggerated extent, the depth to which material will be removed from model or cast C l The now reduced model Cl is placed in an articulator or other suitable holding device'. The temporary dental plate such as TD carrying its properly aligned teeth is placed over the model and in the articulator just as indicated in Figure 18. A molding plaster or composition is now applied over the outside of the temporary dental plate and around the exposed portions of the teeth. The wax of which the temporary dental plate is made is removed as by subjecting it to heat and thereby causing it to melt and flow. The teeth are now held in proper position by the surrounding molding plaster after the temporary dental plate material has been removed.

Followin the removal of the temporary dental plate material, a plastic composition, of which the permanent dental plate is composed, is poured in a flowing state into the space formerly occupied by the temporary dental plate, and the permanent dental plate material surrounds and holds the portions of the teeth formerly held by the temporary dental plate. In short, the reduced cast Cl will be used to perform the step indicated in Figure 19 and in place of the reduced cast RC shown in that figure.

The permanent dental plate similar to DP may be subjected to a curing treatment as is customary. The molding plaster can now be removed, leaving the permanent dental plate with an excess of material on the surface which is in contact with the mouth, and in this condition it is ready for the Second phase, the milling operation, of the method.

Making a dental plate by rebasz'ng If it is desired to rebase a dental plate, the steps as described supra for making a dental plate would be necessarily somewhat altered. The dental plate to be rebased has its'inner or contacting surface coated with a suitable impression plaster or composition, and in this condition by made using the combination of the already formed plate and the impression material.

Reference marks are now laced in this impression in a manner like that described previously under the making of a dental plate.

A cast or model is made from this impression by using an impression material, such as a hydrocolloid alginous material. Over this model, there is formed an impression which is termed master impression. The master impression reference marks are covered with any suitable masking material, to preserve the marks, and the rest of the impression may be covered with a very thin coating of a sealer, such as a lacquer, to preserve the contact surface. This master impression is used in the Second phase, the milling operation, of this method.

The impression formed, by combination of the plate to be rebased and the impression material, is now coated with a coating, preferably a hard coating, such as a lacquer, to a few thousandths of an inch thickness, except for the areas carrying the reference marks which are masked out. After this coating has dried, the masking material placed over the reference marks is removed, and the impression may be coated with a thin coating of a parting material.

The impression in this state is now used to make a cast or model composed of a suitable hard type casting plaster or composition. The reduced model so obtained is slightly smaller than the part of the mouth that it represents, in view of the few thousandths of an inch thickness of coating that was applied to the impression from which the model was cast.

The reduced model as just described is coated with a suitable parting material and is positioned in an articulator or suitable holding device. Over this model there is formed a permanent dental plate such as DP of suitable composition by the customary steps. The teeth that were carried by the plate being rebased are removed from that plate and transferred to the permanent dental plate as is customary.

The permanent dental plate with the teeth properly set therein may now be subjected to a curing operation. This permanent dental plate carries excess material on its contact surface which will be milled off, in the Second phase of the method, so that the finished contact surface will correspond in contour and size to the surface of the master impression and likewise it will properly fit the mouth.

Relim'ng a dental plate If it is desired to reline a dental plate, the areas to be relined may be scraped out as is customary. An impression material is applied to these areas and in this condition the plate is placed in the mouth. An impression is-thereby made using the combination of the plate to be relined and the impression material.

Reference marks are now placed in this impression in a manner similar to that described previously under the making of a dental plate.

A cast or model is made from this impression by using an impression material, such as a hydrocolloid alginous material. Over this model there is formed an impression which is termed master impression. The master impression reference marks are covered with a suitable masking material, to preserve the marks, and the rest of the impression may be covered with a very thin coating of the sealer, such as a lacquer, to preserve the contact surface. This master impression is 8 used in the Second phase, the milling operation, of this method.

The impression material as previously placed in the dental plate being relined is now removed and a permanent relining composition is applied to these areas. A suflicient amount of this relining material is applied so that there is an excess thickness on the surfaces which may be milled off in the Second phase, the milling operation, of this method. The relined plate may be subjected to the customary curing treatment after the relining material has been applied.

In the First phase of making new dental plates or rebasing and relining dental plates, as described in the foregoing steps,,a master impression for use in the Second phase of the method was formed over a cast or model made from the SECOND PHASE The permanent dental plates DP as prepared in the First phase described supra are subjected to this Second phase of the method now to be described. The Second phase consists in certain novel steps of placin the permanent dental plate in a special precision duplicating or profiling machine and milling off the excess material on its surface so that the dental plate contacting surface is of a duplicate contour and size of an impression of the mouth.

Referring to Figures 7 and 8 of the drawings, there is shown two moulding forms generally indicated as I0 and I0 of polygonal shape, formed with a vertical wall portion II, having three laterally extending slotted lugs I2 whose bottom surfaces lie in a plane with the bottom of the wall portion II. Each of the moulding forms I0 and I0 are placed on any suitable level surface (not shown) and within moulding form I0 is placed an impression of the mouth, preferably the master impression MI that was prepared in the First phase of the method. In the space formed between the impression MI and the inside surface of the wall II is poured a suitable moulding plaster or composition which serves to hold the impression MI in proper position.

The impression MI is adjusted in the surrounding moulding plaster so that it rests in a level position by means of a special level generally indicated at I4.

The level I4 is comprised of horizontal frame members I5 and I6, arranged perpendicular to each other in the shape of a T. Each of the members I5 and I6 are formed with a slot II. On the member I5 is fixedly mounted a spirit level I8, and similarly mounted on frame member I6 is a spirit level I9. The spirit levels I8 and I9 join each other in a fixed joint at 20. Slidably mounted within the slots II are three depending and supporting adjustable legs, generally indicated at 20. Each leg 20 comprises an upper threaded element 2|, having a fixed top element 22, and a securing nut 23 to secure the leg in adjusted position in the slot II. An internally threaded collar element 24, having a reduced lower portion 25, is adjustably screwed onto the threaded element 2 I.

In leveling the impression M1, the level I4 is first placed on a suitable flat surface (not shown) and the legs are adjusted by means of the collar elements 24, so that each spirit level, l8 and I9, indicates a level attitude. The level I4 is now positioned within the impression MI and the two back legs ar slidably adjusted laterally and secured in their slots I! so that they rest in the condyle portions of the impression. The corresponding condyle portions of the dental plate, generally indicated at DP, are shown in Figure 7 at 21 and 28. The front leg of the level i4 is slidably adjusted laterally and secured in its slot I! so that it is in the forward pocket in the master impression MI. The correspondin pocket of the dental plate DP is shown in Figure 7 at 29. The level I4 is now removed from the impression and rechecked on a flat surface for proper level attitude of each spirit level, l8 and I9. If the levels l8 and I9 need to be adjusted, the leveling adjustment is made, and the level 14 is again placed in position in the impression so that the impression may be moved in the still soft moulding plaster to a level position if it is found neceSSary.

The permanent dental plate DP, as prepared by the First phase of the method, and which is indicated in Figure 7, is secured in a moulding form ID by moulding plaster and properly leveled in the same manner as the master impression MI was secured and leveled in its moulding frame it], just previously described.

The next step is the placement of the moulding form 10, carrying the master impression MI, on a fixed positioning platform or work holder generally indicated at in Figures 1, 3 and 8 which will be described later. The top surface of the fixed positioning platform 30 has three sets of tapped holes 3|, each set of which is spaced so as to receive holding down screws 32 which pass through the slots in the lugs l2 on the moulding form in.

.The moulding form Ill, carrying the dental plate DP, is placed and secured in the center set of holes 3| on the adjustable positioning platform, generally indicated at 33 in Figures 1, 3 and 7 which will be described later.

It is now necessary to bring the dental plate DP into proper position with respect to the master impression MI. This is first approximately done by using the level generally indicated at l 4 in Figure 8. The level I4 is placed in the impression MI so that its back legs rest in the condyle points or areas and its front leg rests on the front point or area in the impression. The legs 20 are adjusted in length by the adjusting collars 24 so that each spirit level l8 and i9 indicates a level attitude.

The level I4 is now removed from the master impression MI and similarly placed in the dental plate DP so that the back legs rest in the condyle points or areas 21 and 28 while the front leg rests in the front point or area 29. If the spirit levels I8 and I9 do not indicate a proper level position of the level M, the oppositely paired adjusting screws 3838' and 3939 (Figure 3) of the adjustable positioning platform 33, are turned so as to bring the spirit levels [8 and I9 into a level attitude. The dental plate DP now lies in a plane which is substantially parallel to a plane through the master impression MI.

Following the approximate positioning of the the dental plate DP with respect to the master impression MI, a final alignment of the dental plate with respect to the master impression is carried out. The pantograph mechanism, a part of the precision duplicating or profiling machine which will be described in detail later, is employed in this aligning operation. An indicator, generally indicated at 34, and a follower tool or tracer, generally indicated at 36, both of which are shown in Figure 11, are also used in this aligning operation.

Referring to Figure 11, the indicator generally indicated at 34 comprises an upper portion or stock 34a which fits into the chuck, a lower pointed portion 34b which is movable with respect to the upper portion 34a, an indicating pointer 34c which moves in response to movements of the pointed portion 34b, and scale member 34d which is graduated to indicate thou-- sandths of an inch as indicated with its zero or mid-point being in the center of the scale. There'is also shown in Figure 11, the follower tool or tracer point, generally indicated at 36, which is of identical size and shape to the corresponding parts of the indicator generally indicated at 34.

Referring to Figure 7, there is shown in the dental plate DP, two back reference points 21' and 28', and a front reference mark 29. The insertion of these reference marks was described in the First phase of the operation. In the master impression MI, as shown in Figure 8, like reference marks appear.

The final aligning of the dental plate DP with the master impression MI may now be carried out. The indicator 34 is inserted and secured in the milling chuck 35, carried on the left-hand arm of the pantograph mechanism, as shown in Figure 3. The follower tool 36 is inserted and loosely held in the follower chuck 3'! on the righthand arm of the pantograph mechanism.

The point end of the indicator 341s placed against one of the reference points or marks 21', 28' or 29' in the dental plate DP so that contact is registered by noting a slight movement of the indicator pointer 340 over the scale 34d. The point on the follower tool 36 should now be over the corresponding reference point or mark in the master impression MI. If the follower tool 36 does not show that it is over the corresponding reference mark, the adjustable positioning platform is slid on its slidable mounting, to be described later, to bring the dental plate into lateral adjustment with the master impression. The point of the follower tool 36 is secured in its chuck as it is now resting against a reference mark while the point of the indicator 34 rests against its corresponding reference mark.

Following the alignment by using a set of corresponding reference points, a second set of reference points may now be similarly checked for proper lateral adjustment of the dental plate with respect to the master impression. In this checking operation, the point of the follower 36 is placed against a reference mark and the indicator 34 is observed to see if its point registers with the corresponding reference point in the dental plate. If the lateral alignment is not quite proper, the adjustable positioning platform may be slid on its slidable mounting to bring this set of reference points into lateral alignment.

A recheck of all corresponding reference points may now be made to ascertain that the dental plate is in lateral alignment with the master impression.

The point on the follower tool is now checked against a number of different surface points and l the pointer 310 on the indicator 34 is observed to ascertain the average reading on the scale 34d.

. This is necessary, since the reference points as the adjustable positioning platform is locked ina secured position by merely setting up on any one of the adjusting screws.

Referring to Figure 9, there is shown a follower pointer 36' having a spherical point. There is also shown a milling tool 36' having a milling burr at its end which is of the same contour and substantially the same size as the spherical point on the follower pointer 36. The follower pointer 36' is now used to replace the follower pointer .36 in the follower chuck 31. The indicator M is removed from the milling chuck 35' and the milling tool is placed in the milling chuck. By bringing the follower pointer 36 into contact with the surface of the master impression, the milling tool may be brought against a corresponding surface of the dental plate and secured in its chuck in the proper position.

The milling operation is now carried out. The milling tool 8Q having the milling burr on its end is rotated by means of the spindle on which its chuck is mounted, as will be described later. In carrying out the milling operation, whereby the contour of the master impression MI in the surface of the dental plate DP, it is merely necessary to trace over the surface of the master impression with the follower point 36' and the milling burr 36' cuts off or mills oil? the extra surface thickness with which the dental plate was made in the First phase operation. In other words, the reduced gum contacting surface of the denture DP will be enlargedso that it will exactly conform to the patients gum, this enlargement being obtained by means of a duplicating milling process wherein an impression of the patients gum serves as the controlling matrix. The positioning platforms an and 33 are each provided with mounting top surfaces which are inclined towards the duplicating machine as shown in Figures 2, 6 and 8. This inclined feature of the platforms is desirable in order that certain milling may be fully carried out in the front part of the dental plate. In carrying out the milling operation, the corresponding other sets of positioning holes 3I3I in the respective platform surfaces may be used for positioning the moulding forms It and It as all areas may not always be reached when the center set of holes are used for holding the moulding forms.

In carrying out this method of producing dental plates, any distortion, that may have taken place in the forming of the dental plate as a result of stresses and strains, is overcome as the contour of the impression is duplicated in the surface of the dental plate. By this method of duplicating the contour of the impression in the dental plate, a dental plate is produced which will conform strictly with the configuration of the impression and it will accurately fit the part of the mouth for which it is intended.

. l2 LOCATING AND MEASURING ERRORS IN DENTAL PLATES In case it is desired to locate and measure errors in already-formed dental plates. whether such plates were prepared by the method previously described or by other methods, the following de-' scribed method may be employed.

An impression is taken of the mouth for which the already-formed dental plate has been prepared. This impression may be coated with a very thin coat of a sealer, such as a lacquer, to preserve its contact surface. The impression from which the dental plate was made may, however, be used instead of taking the new impression of the mouth. Either of these impressions is placed,

leveled and secured'in the moulding form III, as

shown in Figure 7, in the same manner as was described supra under the phase.

The dental plate whose contact surface is being tested for errors is placed, leveled and secured in the moulding form III, as shown in Figure 7, in a manner as was also described under the heading "Second phase.

The moulding form l0, carrying the impression,

heading Second and the form l0, carrying the dental plate to be tested for errors, are respectively placed on the positioning platforms 30 and 33. The level I4 is used to level the impression and the dental plate as was described supra under the Second phase.

The indicator 34 and the follower tool 36, as shown in Figure 11, are inserted in their respective chucks on the pantograph arms as was described under the Second phase for bringing the dental plate and the impression into proper lateral alignment. Since the deliberately placed reference marks, as described under the First phase and as used under the Second phase previously described, may not be available in the dental plate and the impression, it will be necessary to make a number of checks and readings on different surface points to bring the dental plate into proper lateral alignment with the impression. After proper alignment is secured suitable corresponding reference marks may be placed in the impression and the dental plate for subsequent aligning purposes. Having properly aligned the impression and the dental plate, the locating and measuring of errors may now be carried out. The follower tool 36 carried by the follower chuck 31 on the arm of the pantograph mechanism is moved so it Just contacts a point on the surface of the impression. By observing the relationship of the point on the indicator member 34 with the surface of the dental plate being checked, a low spot in the dental plate will show up by reason of a gap occurring between the surface of the plate and the point on the indicator member 34b, as well as no movement being registered by the pointer 340. To determine how much error there is at this low spot in the dental plate, the end of the indicator member 34b may be moved so that it just makes contact with the plate surfaceat this point, then by noting the deflection of the indicator point 340 on the scale 34d the amount of 13 these high spots may be read on the indicator scale 34d under the pointer 340 in thousandths of an inch.

After having marked the spots or regions where low or high errors are indicated in the dental plate and a notation of the amount of such errors having been made, the dental plate may be rectified to eliminate these errors. After the rectification has taken place, the plate may again be retested with respect to the impression for accuracy of the plate contact surface.

MACHINE Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 5, the duplicating or profiling machine is comprised of a supporting frame generally indicated at I formed with an extended bed portion IOI. This supporting frame has secured thereto, two horizontal tracks I02 and I03 within which is slidably mounted a carriage I04 formed with two upstanding yokes I05-I05 which rotatably support a tubular cross member I06.

A pantograph mechanism, generally indicated at I01 and pivotally mounted at I08I08 to the cross member I06, carries the follower chuck 31 in 'which is held the follower pointer or tracer 36', and the milling chuck 35 in which is held the milling burr 34', all as shown in Figures 3 and 9. An electric motor I09, mounted at the rear of the pantograph mechanism, supplies driving power by belt I I0 to intermediate pulleys I I I, thence by a belt I I2 to rotate a spindle I I3, having attached at its lower end the said milling chuck 35 in which is held said milling burr 34.

The bed portion IOI, of the supporting frame I00, as shown in Figure 3, serves as a support for a plate member I I4 on which is mounted the fixed positioning platform, generally indicated at 30, and the adjustable platform 33.

Supporting frame The supporting frame generally indicated at I00 is preferably made of cast iron and is relatively heavy, thereby serving as a rigid base for the precision duplicating mechanism. The frame support I00 comprises an extending bed portion IOI, two sides walls II5I I5, each formed with three lightening openings I I6, two end walls I I1, best shown in Figure 4, whose top portion is arcshaped, and two intermediate ribs II8--I I8, the top portions of the ribs are likewise arc-shaped similar to the end walls H1. The upper inner portion of each side wall is formed with rectangular recesses H9 and I20, which serve as a mounting for the track members, hereinafter more fully described.

Track assemblies Within the rectangular recess I20 in the upper portion of the left-hand wall II5 of supporting frame I00, as viewed in Figure 5, is secured a track I03 by cap screws I2 I. The exposed surface of the track I03 is formed with a groove in which antifriction ball bearings I22 roll, as shown in Figures 1 and 5. A ball retainer strip I23 serves as a spacer and retainer for the ball bearings I22. A track I24, similar to track I03, is mounted in a rectangular recess portion formed in the adjacent edge of the carriage I04 and is secured by countersunk cap screws I25.

Within the rectangular recess I I9 in the upper portion of the right-hand wall II5 of supporting frame I00, as viewed in Figure 5, is adjustably mounted a track I02, similarly shaped to track I03. Referring to Figure 1, set screws I26 serve as an adjusting means for spacing the track I03 in the rectangular recess I I 9. Cap screws I21 pass through apertures in the right-hand side wall I I5 and screw into the track I02, thereby holding it tightly in adjusted position against the ends of the set screws I26. the ball bearings I29 in spaced relationship, while a track I24, like track I24, is mounted in a recessed portion formed also in the other edge of the carriage I04 and serves as a cooperating track surface for the ball bearings I29.

Cover plates I30-I30 are secured in the frame support I00 over each track and are of such a shape that they protect the tracks and ball bearings. The end portions of the cover plates I30I30 are so formed that they serve as stops for movement of the carriage I04 at each end of its travel within the supporting frame I00.

Carriage The carriage I04 is preferably cast of magnesium and has a general square-shaped base portion I3I with a lightening hole I32, also square shaped, as shown in Figure 1. The edge portions of the carriage are formed with rectangular recess portions for track mountings, as described, supra. The underneath side of the base portion I3I is formed with strengthening webs I33 whose outer or bottom portions are arc-shaped, as shown in Figure 4. Two upstanding yokes I05I05 are formed on the upper part of the carriage, as shown in Figure 5, and have strengthening web portions I34. The upper portions of the yokes are in the form of cylindrical collars as indicated at I35 (see Figure 2) within which is mounted a ball bearing assembly I36. The upper mid-portion of each yoke is split and formed with lugs I35'- I 35', one of which lugs is apertured while the other is apertured and threaded to receive a tightening cap screw I31.

Pantograph mechanism The pantograph mechanism, generally indicated at I01, is pivotally mounted at I08I08 to the tubular cross member I06, as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 5. Referring to Figure 5, the tubular cross member I06 is comprised of a tube I38, each end of which has secured therein a journal member I39, formed with a journal surface which rides in the bearing assemblies I36. These journal members I 39I39 are threaded at their outer ends and are held in position by the nuts I40- I40 screwed onto the threaded end portions. The tube I38 has two parallel transverse openings therethrough at I4II4I in which are secured cylindrical bearing tubes I42-I42. Within each bearing tube is mounted a spindle member I43 having a threaded lower portion on which is screwed a securing nut I44. The end portions of each of the spindle members I43 are formed with an inwardly extending conical bearing surface.

The left-hand spindle of Figure 5 serves as a pivotal mounting for an arm I45, as shown in Figure 1, of the pantograph mechanism, while the right-hand spindle of Figure 5 serves as a pivotal mounting for the arm I46 of the pantograph mechanism. Each arm I45 and I46 is formed with a circular walled portion as indicated at I41 in Figures 1 and 5. The circular walled portions I41---I41 of the arms have therein diametrically threaded holes I48I 48, as shown in Figure 5, in which are screwed conical ended screws I49. The conical end of each screw I49 bears on the conical bearing surfaces in the end of the spindle I43 and thereby is provided a pivotal support for arms I45 and I46. Securing nuts I50 A ball retainer strip I28 holds 15 areiscrewed onto the end of each screw I49 and hold them securely in adjusted position.

Arm 145 of the pantograph mechanism terminates at its rear end in a fiat supporting portion II, as shown in Figures 1 and 4. This end portion I5I is given strengthening support by a web I52, as best shown in Figure 4. The rear portion I5I has a threaded aperture which receives a cap screw I53 securing one end of the motor mounting to the arm I45.

The forward end of arm I45 is formed with a vertical sleeve I54, as shown in Figure 3, threaded at each end and having an inner vertical 91mdrical cavity which serves as a mountingfor a follower spindle I55. Still referring tq..Figure 3, securing collars I56I56 are screwed onto the threaded end portions of the vertical sleeve I54 and hold the spindle in position in the same manner as will be described hereinafter for the milling spindle carried by the other arm I46 of the pantograph mechanism. The follower chuck 31 screws onto the lower end of spindle I55 and secured in this chuck is'the follower pointer or tracer 36'.

Arm I46 of the pantograph mechanism terminates at its rear end in a vertical cylindrical sleeve I51 (see Figures 2, 4 and 5) having top and bottom horizontal bearing surfaces and a vertical cylindrical capacity therein. The sleeve I51 serves as a mounting for the other end of the motor mounting to be described hereinafter.

The forward end of arm I46 (see Figures 2, 3 and 6) is formed with a vertical sleeve I58 having therein a bearing mounting for the milling spindle, all to be described later.

The arms I45 and I46 have formed thereon toward their forward ends bearing portions I59- I59 each of which has a vertical cylindrical bearing cavity. The arms I 45 and I46 are pivotally connected together at bearing portions I59I59 by a cross member I60, bifurcated at each end as indicated at I 6II6I (see Figures 1, 2 and 3) and held in pivotal position by pivot posts I62I62v which are secured in position by set screws I63-- I63.

Motor and intermediate pulley mountings A motor I09 is mounted in a vertical position in a surrounding eccentric collar I64 formed with a horizontally extending shoulder I65 at its top, said shoulder having its outer vertical periphery knurled at I66, as best shown in Figures 4 and 5. A motor mounting bracket is generally indicated at I61. The eccentric collar I64 is supported in a vertical cylindrical portion I68 of the motor mounting bracket I61 as shown in Figures 1 and 4. The cylindrical portion I68 is formed with two end portions I69 and I having a gap formed therebetween. Each end portion carries lugs I69 and I10, I16 is apertured and threaded to receive a tightening cap screw I10 which passes through an aperture in lug I69. By setting up on screw I1I the lugs I69 and I10 are brought closer together and the cylindrical portion I68 tightens about the collar I64.

The'left-hand portion of the motor mounting bracket IE1 is formed with an extending lug I12 having a slotted end bearing portion I13 which is supported on the end portion I5I of arm I46. A vertical screw I53 is screwed into a thread portion in the end I5I of arm I46 and serves as a guide post for the slot I13 on the end of the motor mounting bracket.

The right-hand end of the motor mounting bracket I61 is bifurcated as indicated at I14-414 and each end of the bifurcated portions has a vertical bearing aperture I15 and two horizontal bearing surfaces indicated at I16.

The vertical cylindrical sleeve I51 on the rear end of arm I46 of the pantograph mechanism has mounted in its vertical cylindrical cavity I11, a vertical post I18. The details of the vertical post are best shown in Figure 10. The post I18 is formedwith a partial cylindrical head I19 having a horizontally extending partial cylindrical. lug portion I of a slightly reduced vertical thickness as compared with a vertical thickness of the head. The extending lug portion has a threaded vertical aperture I8I. At the center of the post I18 there is a reduced cylindrical portion I82 which receives the end of a securing set screw I82 screwed through the wall of the vertical cylindrical sleeve I51 as shown in Figure 4. The lower end of the post I18 has a reduced cylindrical portion I83 having a horizontally extending aperture I84 extending therethro'ugh. This cylindrical portion I83 receives a link member generally indicated at I85, similar to the head I19I80, but having a horizontally extending aperture I86. Link I85 is held on the cylindrical portion I83 of the post I18 by a suitable pin which passes through the aligned apertures I86, in the post, and I84, in the link member. This pivoted post with its head and bottom link acts as a bell-crank lever as will be describedhereinafter. Referring to Figures 4 and 5, there is shown the pivoted attachment of the bifurcated ends I14-I14 of the motor mounting bracket I61 with the head I19I80 and the bottom link member I85 of ,the

P post I18. The bottom bifurcated end I14 is pivotally secured to the extending portion of the'link I85 by a screw I81. In Figure 4 there is shown horizontal spacer washers I88 interposed between the bifurcated ends and their respective bearing.

mountings.

In Figure 5 the. pivoted mounting of the upper bifurcated end I14 of the motor mounting bracket I61 is shown. A vertical pulley post generally indicated at I89 has a threaded lower end which screws into the threaded aperture I8I on the extending head portion I80 of the post I18. The lower portion of the post has a cylindrical portion which serves as a pivotal mounting for the cylindrical aperture I15 in the upper bifurcated end I14 of the motor mounting. The post I89 is further formed with a horizontally extending collar I90 at its center portion whose periphery is hexagonally shaped to serve as a tightening and loosening means for the post. Above this collar portion I90 the post is formed with a cylindrical portion which serves as a bearing mounting for the integrally formed pulleys generally indicated at III. A cylindrical spacer member or washer I92 is placed over the upper cylindrical portion of the pulley post and between the collar I90 and the lower pulley. The upper cylindrical portion of the pulley post I89 is formed with a threaded cavity to receive the securing cap screw I93 which serves to hold the pulleys III in position onthe pulley post.

I The electric motor I09 carries a driving pulley I94 which is connected bya belt I I0 to the intermediate pulleys generally indicated at III. By adjusting the vertical position of the motor in its mounting, by loosening and tightening screw I1 I, any one of the pulleys indicated at III may be used. Having selected the desired pulley, the belt H0 is tightened by loosening up on screw I1I, turning the eccentric collar I64 by means of the knurled surface I66 to move the motor horizontally away from pulley post I" and then tightening up on screw I1I to hold the motor in its adjusted position. To tighten the belt I I2 (see Figure 1) whichconnects the intermediate pulleys III with the integrally formed pulleys, generally indicated at I95, on the milling spindle H3, set screw I82 (see Figures 4 and 5) is first loosened. The vertical pivot post I18 and its attached head I19-I 88 and the link member I85 serving as bellcrank levers are rotated thereby moving .pulley post I89 and screw I81 horizontally away from the spindle H3 and its pulley I95 to tighten the belt II2. Having obtained the proper adjustment, screw I82 istightened so as to holdthe pivot post I18 and its attached bell-crank levers in position.

During the tightening of the belt I H, the motor mounting bracket I61 carying the motor I89 will also move since the bifurcated ends of the motor mounting bracket are respectively pivotally.

mounted on the pulley post I89 and the screw I81. As the motor mounting bracket I61 is moved, its left-hand slotted end bearing portion I13 moves freely relative to its vertical guide screw I53 as best shown in Figure 1. The adjustments of the motor drive belt I I8 will therefore not be changed by the tightening of the belt II2. Likewise, any adjustment of belt I I8 does not aifect the adjustment of belt II2i The integrally formed intermediate pulleys I and the integrally formed pulleys I95 are of such flanged bearing surface at each end are mounted respectively about the upper and lower portions of the spindle I I3 and within the surrounding hearing cavity 288. A cylindrical bearing spacer 283, within the bearing cavity 288, surrounds the mid-portion of the spindle and its upper horizontal surface serves as a bearing for the lower end of the upper group of needle bearings 282 while its lower horizontal surface serves as a bearing for the upper end of the lower group of needle bearings 282'. The cylindrical spacer 283 is formed with a reduced cylindrical portion 284 at its center portion which has a horizontal-oil passageway 285 extending from said reduced cylindrical portion to the inner cylindrical surface of the sleeve. Adjacent the reduced cylindrical portion 284 there is a suitable oil passage 286 formed in the wall of the vertical sleeve I58 through'which oil may be introduced to the inner bearings generally.

- drical cavity 288 formed in the bottom end of the through the belt II2 to the intermediate pulley post I89 and will tend to move the vertical pulley post I89 laterally. Since the vertical pulley post is secured in the end of the bell-crank lever I19- I88, the lateral forces tending to move the pulley post I89 will be transmitted to the end of the bellcrank lever I19I88. The bell-crank lever I19 I88 will tend to absorb these forces since it is the attached head of the pivot post I18 which is restrained. from rotary movement by its securing set screw I82. By these torque force restraining means the tendency of such torqueforces to move the pantograph mechanism and the motor mounting laterally is reduced, thereby permitting greater stability and precision in the duplicating operation.

Bearing for milling spindle Referring to Figures 2 and 6, milling spindle I I3 is shown mounted in a bearing contained within vertical sleeve I58 formed on the end of arm I46 of the pantograph mechanism.

The milling spindle H3 is formed at its upper end with a vertical flat portion I96 against which rides a set screw I91, screwed in a shoulder portion I 98 of pulleys I95, to hold the pulleys in fixed relation to the spindle. Towards the lower end of the spindle there is formed on the spindle a horizontally extending cylindrical thrust shoulder I99. On the extreme lower end of the spindle there is mounted the milling chuck 85 which receives the milling burr or tool 34.

sleeve I 58 and its upper surface acts as a bearing for the lower end of the lower group of needle bearings 282'. The lower surface of thrust washer 281 acts as a bearing surface for the upper surface of the spindle shoulder I99.

A lower securing collar 2 I 8 is formed with three internally stepped cylindrical portions 2, 2I2 and 2I3, and an internally threaded portion 2. Cylindrical portion 2 serves as a pocket for a felt packing washer 2I5; cylindrical portion 2I2 forms a pocket for a second lower thrust washer 289 and the latters upper surface forms a bearing for the lower surface of the thrust shoulder I99 on the spindle; cylindrical portion 2I3 forms an annular oil pocket about the periphery of the thrust shoulder I99 of the spindle as well as a passageway to the lower end of the vertical oil passage 28I in the sleeve I58; and the threaded portion 2 of the collar serves to secure the collar 2I8 to a threaded lower portion on the vertical sleeve I58.

An upper securing collar 2 I 8 is formed with two internally stepped cylindrical portions 2" and 2 I 8, and an internally threaded portion 2 I 9 which serves to threadedly hold the cap to a threaded upper portion of the vertical sleeve I58. The cylindrical portion 2I1 of the collar 2 I6 serves as a pocket for a felt packing washer 228. The cylindrical portion 2I8 serves as a pocket within which is positioned a retaining washer 22I. The retaining washer 22I is formed with a cut-away portion on its lower surface which forms an oil groove 222. The oil groove 222 serves as a passageway so that oil flows from the upper end of the vertical oil passage 28I to the upper group of needle bearings 282.

The oil circulation in the bearing is in general motivated by the oil being thrown centrifugally from the peripheral surface of the thrust shoulder I99 on the rotating spindle H3. The oil is forced outwardly in the annular pocket surrounding the shoulder I99 and then into the lower end of the vertical oil passage 28I where itrises upwardly and flows from the top of the oil passage 28I, through the oil groove 222 to the upper group of needle bearings 282. From the upper group of needle bearings 282 the oil flows downthence is recirculated.

Fixed and adjustable positioning platforms The extending bed portion ll, of the supporting frame generally indicated at formed with a floor portion 225 as shown in partial section in Figure 6. On the upper surface of the floor portion 225 is mounted a rectangular shaped plate 226.

Referring to Figures 1, 2, 3 and 6, the plate 226 is shown as being formed with six downwardly extending lugs 221. Extending through the plate 226 and the lugs 221 are apertures, the tops of which are countersunk to receive holding down screws 228 which are screwed at their lower ends into threaded cavities in the floor 225 and bed Illl. Formed on the upper surface of the plate 225 are two main bosses 228 and 229 and four secondary smaller bosses indicated at 230.

The fixed positioning platform or work holder generally indicated at 30 is mounted on boss 228. The fixed positioning platform comprises a cylindrical pedestal 23l whose lower end is threaded with a cooperating threaded portion in boss 228 and the plate 226. The pedestal supports a cylindrical plate 232 having an upstandin reduced cylindrical collar 233 formed on its top. Within the upstanding collar 233 and on the inner top surface of the plate 232 there is positioned a solid cylindrical bed 234 whose top surface is sloped at an angle of about sixteen degrees. When in proper position the sloped top of the bed 234 inclines toward the duplicating or profiling machine and is held in this position by set screws 235 extending horizontally through the wall of the upstanding collar 233. The top surface of the bed 234 has three sets of tapped holes 3| (see Figure 8), each set of which is spaced so as to receive holding down screws 32 which pass through slots in the lugs l2 on the moulding form III, the purpose of which is described supra under the Second phase of the method steps.

The adjustable positioning platform generally indicated at 33 is mounted on a bass 229. A pedestal generally indicated at 235 (see Figure 6) is formed with a central cylindrical portion 236, a lower reduced cylindrical portion 231 threaded at its lower end 231', and an upwardly extending truncated cone portion 238 which terminates at its top in a threaded portion 239. The lower reduced cylindrical portion 231 of the pedestal 235 is mounted in an aperture'extending through the boss 229, the plate 226 and the floor 225, and is held in a secured position by a nut 240.

A spherical element 2 having a threaded cavity is screwed onto the threaded top portion 239 of the pedestal 235 and serves as a universal joint for a support element generally indicated at 242 which may be tilted in any [direction to an amount of about sixteen degrees.

The support element generally indicated at 242 is formed with a circular plate portion 243 having a hollow cylindrical depending boss 244. The hollow portion of the depending boss 244 has an upper cylindrical surface as at 245 which terminates in a spherical surface 246 in which the spherical element 2 is seated, while the extreme lower internal surface is a truncated cone as indicated at 241. The truncated cone surface 241 is in spaced relationship with the truncated cone surface 238 on the pedestal 235.

On the fiat top surface of the support element 242 there is slidably mounted a cylindrical plate 251 having an annular depending boss portion 258 and an upstanding reduced cylindrical collar 259. An annular cylindrical plate member 260 is secured to the depending boss portion 258 of the cylindrical plate 251 by suitable screws 26L The top surface of the annular cylindrical plate member 260 slidably fits with the lower surface of the support element 242. The cylindrical plate 251 by this mounting may he slid in any direction with respect to its supporting element 242. In Figure 2 the adjustable positioning platform is shown in broken lines in an adjusted position.

Within the upstanding collar 259 and on the inner top surface of the plate 251, there is positioned a solid cylindrical bed 262, whose top surface is sloped at an angleof about sixteen degrees. When in proper position, the sloped top of the bed 262 inclines toward the duplicating or profiling machine, and is held in position within its mounting by set screws 263 in the wall of collar portion 259. The top surface of the bed 262 has three sets of tapped holes 3l'( see Figure 8), each set of which is spaced so as to receive holding down screws 32' which pass through slots in the lugs l2 on the moulding form l0, the purpose of which is described supra, under the Second phase of the method steps.

Against the bottom surfaces of the annular cylindrical plate member 260 there slidably bears four depending socket members 25! (see Figure 6), spaced ninety degrees apart. The socket members 25I are formed with an upper flanged portion 252, the top surface of which slidably bears against the bottom surface of the annular cylindricalplate member 260, and a spherical inner surface as indicated at 253. On each spherical surface 253 and within the sockets, there is positioned spherical elements 254 having a threaded cavity. These spherical elements 254 serve as universal joints.

Threaded into each threaded cavity of the spherical elements 254 is an upper threaded portion 255 on the adjusting screws 38-38 and 39-39 (see Figures 3 and 6) The lower portion of each adjusting screw is formed with a threaded portion 256 which screws into a threaded aperture in the bosses 230 and the plate 226 on which the bosses are formed. By means of these adjusting screws 38-38 and 39-39, the adjustable positioning platform generally indicated at 33 is.

held in any slid and tilted position.

By the phrase reduced contact surface? in the claims it is meant that any concave portion of 2211: contact surface of the denture will be too all to fit the complementary convex surface of the patient's mouth, and that any convex or planar surfaces of the denture preferably will bear sufficient surplus material that they, too, will fail to fit the patients mouth.

Since various modifications to the invention which incorporate the novel features thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art, it is intended that the scope of this invention is to be limited only to the following claims.

I claim:

.1. The method of forming an accurately fitting denture comprising preparing an impression complemental to the patients gum, preparing a denture with a gum contacting surface which is of reduced size, and then enlarging the gum con- ,tacting surface of the denture to the size of the corresponding surface of said impression by a duplicating milling process in which said impression serves as the controlling matrix.

2. The method for forming an accurately fitting denture comprising preparing an impression complemental to the patients gum, preparing an uncured denture with a gum contacting surface which is of reduced size, curing the denture and, to compensate for warpage of the denture during curing, then enlarging the gum contacting surface of the denture to the size of the corresponding surface of said impression by a duplicating milling process in which said impression serves as the controlling matrix.

3. The method of forming an accurately fitting denture comprising preparing an impression complemental to the patients gum, preparing a denture with a gum contacting surface which is of reduced size 'to an extent of the order of a few' thousandths of an inch, and then enlarging the gum contacting surface of the denture to the size ass in which the other and non-reduced impression serves as the controlling matrix.

5. The method of forming an accurately fit- I ting denture comprising preparing an impression complemental to the patients gum, forming a v Number 22- cast from said impression, treating the surface of the cast corresponding to the surface of the patients gum to remove material therefrom, forming an uncured denture from the cast, curing the denture, and then subjecting the denture to a duplicating milling process in which the impression complemental to the patients gum serves as the controlling matrix.

6. The method of forming an accurately fltting denture comprisingpreparing an impression complemental to the patientsgum, forming an uncured denture having a gum contacting surface which is a facsimile of said impression, adding material to the gum contacting surface of said uncured denture, curing said denture, and then removing suflicient of said added material to bring the gum contacting surface of said denture into conformity with said impression of the patients gum by a duplicating milling process in which said impression serves as the controlling matrix.

GEORGE R. KERN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date 653,494 Wenzel July 10, 1900 757,833 'Paine Apr. 19, 1904 1,039,406 Hundrieser "Sept. 24, 1912 1,443,624 Heise- Jan. 30, 1923 2,017,843 Cuthbert Oct. 22, 1935 2,168,530

Kyprie Aug. 8, 1939 

